Norman OK vs Spokane WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Norman
73.0%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 37.2 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 6.1% | Norman + |
| White | 73.0% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 5.1% | 2.7% | Norman + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.9% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 7.8% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.0% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 32.6% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $400,636 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Norman +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Norman, OK | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 3409 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.3% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.5% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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